This resource guide for new student affairs professionals reflects on the socialization process experienced by new staff members and offers senior student affairs staff members and graduate preparation program faculty insights to assist them in designing programs for preservice students and new full-time staff appointees. "The New Professional" (David D. Coleman and John E. Johnson) describes characteristics about new professionals and discusses collaboration between supervisors and new professionals. "Making the Transition to a Profession Role" (Margaret J. Barr) discusses questions typical of a person appointed to a first professional student affairs position and addresses common concerns in a transition to a new professional role. "Using Theory and Performing Research in Everyday Practice" (Roger B. Winston, Jr.) encourages applying theories as the basis for practice. "Developmental Concerns in Moving toward Personal and Professional Competence" (D. Stanley Carpenter) describes the path toward personal excellence and professionalism while warning that each person must make choices based on his/her level of competence. "A Lifestyle Approach to Stress Management" (Frances T. O'Brien and Steven K. Erwin) outlines sources of stress and cites coping strategies to show young professionals how to make choices that can increase job satisfaction and improve personal health and effectiveness. A list of professional associations and journals is appended. (NB)